“And then?”
The handsome CEO’s expression grows determined.
“The divorce was the right thing because we weren’t a match. But I wasn’t going to give up on Sally either, after basically forcing her to accept my proposal. So I hired her at Tatti, and she became my personal secretary. Everyone in my family thought it was sheer craziness, but it worked out okay. Your mom was more interested in creating a safe, comfortable life for you, than worrying about what my family thought. Sally was a good worker, and by hiring her at my company, I was able to get her out of the stripper life by offering her a stable job and generous salary.”
“Oh my god!” I gasp, really hyperventilating this time. “Holy shit!”
“Yes, I know,” Rick says in a low tone, looking ashamed. “No one ever said anything about my brief first marriage, and in fact, outside of my family, most people didn’t know that I’d been married. I see that Sally never told you, either, because this is obviously a surprise. But I remember you from back in the day, Jenna. You were just a tot in diapers, and you were as innocent as a babe because youwerea baby.”
My jaw’s now on the floor as I stare at the huge man.
“So I’m having sex with my ex-stepfather,” I sputter. “Oh my god!”
Rick grimaces.
“Unfortunately, yes, but what we have is more than sex, Jenna. I hope you know that because I love you,” he says fiercely. “I love the fact that you’re smart and independent, and that you have your own career. I love that you tell me what I need to hear sometimes, even when it stings, and don’t care that I’m the big, bad CEO. I adore your lush curves, sweetheart, and I’d love to get married and have babies with you if you’re willing.”
“But you used to be marriedto my mom!” I screech, still trying to process. “Oh my god!”
“Unfortunately, I was,” the huge man acknowledges with a grimace. “And yes, we did consummate the marriage. Not very many times, but we did. So yes, I have had sex with Sally in the past, and I hope that isn’t going to affect what we have together.”
“It’sdefinitelygoing to affect what we have together!” I scream. “Are you insane? You used to have your cock inside my mom’s cunt! You expect me to fuck you now? Do you see visions of Sally when we’re making love? Does my mom appear before you like a ghost?”
“No,” Rick says quickly. “Again, I think your mom and I were married for a week at most. Maybe not even that long because my family intervened pretty quick, so I don’t really know Sally, and we were never truly married. We definitely weren’t in love. But I wish?—”
“I don’t care what you wish!” I scream again. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Rick looks conflicted.
“I thought maybe Sally told you, and you already knew,” he says in a quiet voice. “But it’s obvious that that didn’t happen, and your mom kept you in the dark. I’m sorry you had to find out like this, Jenna. It’s my fault.”
I stare at him, so angry that it feels like the top of my head is going to blow off. Not only that, but a million emotions surge through my veins at once, from rage, fear, and anger, to surprise, bewilderment, and a dizzying “what next?” feeling. But to my horror, my eyes begin to fill with hot tears and then I’ve burst into sobs. Tears stream down my cheeks, my cries wrenching.
“How could you do this?” I scream. “How could you? How could you?” I charge Rick like a madwoman, and he doesn’t step aside. The huge man catches me against his frame as I pummel him with my clenched fists, that broad chest impervious to my blows.
“I’m sorry,” he rasps, his handsome features unhappy. “I’m so sorry, Snowflower. I love you, and I’ll do anything to make it up to you.”
“Buthow?” I scream, still hitting him. “How do you erase your first marriage? How do you change the past so that it never existed?”
Of course, there’s no way, and I collapse into his strong arms, sobbing my heart out. Rick holds me close, his expression agonized, as I pour out a stream of tears against his bronzed chest.
Finally, the tears dry up a bit and I stare at my man, still angry.
“So what next?”
The billionaire shakes his head, his blue eyes not meeting mine.
“It’s up to you, sweetheart. I’ll do whatever you want me to. You can stay here, and I’ll move out, or you can find a new place and of course, I’ll pay the rent. It’s up to you, Snowflower.”
I stare at this man, my heart beating like a drum in my chest. Is that what I want? To be separated from Rick? Suddenly, I know that it’s not because this man has become everything to me, and I can’t live without him. My heart has somehow become entangled with his even during our short time together, and I know that I’m devastatingly, irrevocably in love with Rick Purdy. Even our tangled past can’t change my emotions, and to his surprise, I lean forward and kiss him hard with my nose still slobby and my cheeks wet.
“Sweetheart, what was that for?” he asks in a low, trembling voice. “You don’t have to forgive me. You can take your time digesting this, and then tell me how you feel on a different day. There’s no rush.”
“No,” I say in a clear voice. “I know how I feel, which is that I love you, Richard Purdy. I adore you, and while I’m surprised and devastated by this revelation, it’s not a dealbreaker. It’s something that happened years ago, and I have no memory of it.”
“Good,” Rick says in a low tone.
“Plus, everyone makes mistakes, and yours happens to be a big one. But my mom was also at fault, and despite the mess of the past, you were the bigger man and gave her a job. You didn’t care that she was a stripper with a thin resume. You didn’t care whatyour family thought. You did right by Sally and hired her for a position which changed our lives forever.”
